There are events, and then there are moments. The March edition of ActivYard at Autohaus, Lekki was firmly the latter. On the night of March 28th, Ballantine’s Blended Scotch Whisky showed up not as a brand looking for a backdrop, but as one that genuinely belongs in rooms like this.
The setup reflected the brand’s understanding of its audience. Guests moved between zones designed to match the energy of the night. The chill zone offered a place to step back, catch a breath, and take in the atmosphere without stepping away from it entirely. At the bar, the cocktail offering was built around the whisky itself: Ballantine’s and Apple, Ballantine’s Lightening, and Ballantine’s Sour gave guests an accessible, flavour-forward experience, whether they were longtime fans of the brand or encountering it for the first time.
And the music? The March edition made that clear from the first set. AFDJ, Crayvelli, Danielino, Davesound, DJ Shawn, Energetic Adeniyi, HeavyPapa, Hillary, Lami, Lil Gee, MNSTT, Smallz The DJ, Titanium, and Valor delivered a lineup that moved across sounds and tempos without ever losing the room. Each set felt intentional, each transition a conversation between the DJ and the crowd rather than a performance at them. YKB rounded the night out the way he always does at these events: reading the room perfectly and leaving nothing on the table. Then the rain came. And the crowd stayed.
That moment said everything. People did not head for the exit. They pushed closer, moved harder, and let the night run its course. There is something telling about a crowd that refuses to let the weather decide when the party ends, and on March 28th, that crowd felt distinctly like a Ballantine’s crowd.
The Stay True ethos was not something that needed to be announced on the night. It showed up in the atmosphere, and in the way the brand held its presence without overshadowing the culture it came to support. That restraint is intentional. Ballantine’s understands that the most powerful thing a brand can do in a room like ActivYard is listen first and show up consistently.
For a community that has spent years building something real without much mainstream acknowledgement, that kind of presence means something. The DJ-led creative economy in Africa is not a trend. It is an infrastructure of culture, and Ballantine’s has made a deliberate choice to invest in it.
The March edition at Autohaus was another chapter in that story. The music was sharp, the energy was honest, and Ballantine’s was there for all of it. Not watching from the outside, but inside the room where it counts.
This is what staying true looks like in practice.
#BallantinesNG #StayTrue. Drink Ballantine’s Responsibly. 18+
About Pernod Ricard Nigeria
Pernod Ricard Nigeria is the local affiliate of Pernod Ricard, a global leader in wines and spirits.
Pernod Ricard holds a comprehensive portfolio of premium and luxury brands, with 16 out of the top 100 spirit brands in the world, including Jameson Irish Whiskey, Beefeater Gin, Martell Cognac, Seagram’s Imperial Blue Whisky, Imperial Black Whisky, Absolut Vodka, Ballantine’s Blended Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet Scotch Whisky, Inverroche Gin, Olmeca Tequila, Malibu Liqueur, and GH Mumm Champagne.
About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is a globally acclaimed Scotch whisky brand established in 1827. Known for its smooth, balanced flavour, the brand blends malt and grain whiskies from Scotland’s key regions to create its signature style, with a portfolio ranging from Ballantine’s Finest to premium aged expressions.
In Nigeria, Ballantine’s is celebrated not only for its heritage but also for its strong cultural presence as a connector, bringing together communities across music, gaming, high-energy moments, and creative expression. Guided by its “Stay True” philosophy, the brand champions authenticity and meaningful connection, resonating with a new generation of creators and culture-shapers.
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